Processing mechanism



May 18, 1965 R. A. GORDON PROCESSING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledApril 30, 1962 FIG.1

INVENTOR. ROBERT A. aonocw BY @7104 ATTORNEY May 18, 1965 R. A. GORDONPROCESSING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 30, 1962 U T 1 T R M wM7 A w 2 l F May 18, 1965 R. A. GORDON PROCESSING MECHANISM Filed April30, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.3

INVENTOR.

ROBERT A.GORDON QMM 1J2; QM

ATTORNEY y 1965 R. A. GORDON 3,183,819

PROCESSING MECHANISM Filed April 30, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 HVVENTDR.ROBERTA.GORDON BY WMMM lfi 4/. M

ATTORNEY May 18, 1965 R. A. GORDON PROCESSING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed April 30, 1962 FIG.8

INVENTOR. ROBERTAGORDON way/M A R on m m m m E R R Ham mam E O M O W C WC S D mm m A V. Q Q m w x O m N MT R R M RE RM M M m E 04 H T 8 GM TROEC .R/ m J.TI WT JW/ AH 0N M m0 T m s c s i FIG.9

A T TORNE Y United States Patent 3,183,819 PROCESSING MECHANISM RobertA. Gordon, Rochester, N.Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company,Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Apr. 30, 1962, Ser.No. 190,870 12 Claims. (Cl. 95-439) This invention relates generally tophotographic processing, and more specifically to an improved processingdevice for exposed material of the type requiring a heated, humidatmosphere for the processing thereof.

Photographic materials of the type incorporating a silver halidedeveloping agent and ingredients for silver halide development, andwhich require a hot, humid atmosphere for the processing thereof afterexposure, are well known in the art. An example of such material isdisclosed in the US. patent application, Serial No. 134,- 014, Stewartet al., filed on August 5, 1961, now abandoned. Applicants invention isdirected to an improved processing device for processing material ofthis general type.

It is therefore one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide an improved processing device that is of simple design andconstruction, thoroughly reliable and eificient in operation, andeconomical to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved processingdevice having a heated, humid processing chamber through which thematerial is transported for processing. Another object of the inventionis to provide a processing device for forming a heated humid atmospherehaving a dew-point temperature above the temperature of the materialbeing introduced into the processor so that, during processing, theatmosphere initially condenses on the material and then is latertransformed into heated vapor upon further travel of the material intothe processor.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of an improvedprocessing device having a processing chamber in which one surfacethereof is maintained at a predetermined temperature, and the oppositesurface thereof is maintained at a different temperature.

Objects and advantages other than those set forth above will be apparentfrom the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View showing a preferred embodiment of theprocessing device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the processing device shown in FIG. 1with one of the side frames removed for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary right side-elevation view of the structure shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a section View taken along line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view in section of a steam generator;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section view of a switch taken along line 88 ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic wiring diagram for the processingdevice.

3,183,819 Patented May 18, 1965 ice With reference to the drawings, apreferred embodiment of the processing device 10 of this inventioncomprises a pair of spaced-apart side frame members 12, 14- as best seenin FIG. 3 for rotatably supponting a shaft 16 upon which a drum 18 issecured. The side frames 12, 14 are further rigidly secured to oneanother in spaced relation by a plurality of fixed shafts 20 whichrotatably support guide rollers 22 for guiding a photographic materialto the drum 24- as seen best in FIG. 2. A shaft 26 is rotatablyjournaled in side frames 12, 14 and supports a transport roller 28secured thereto intermediate the frames. A driven sprocket 3t) (seeFIG. 1) is secured to one end of shaft 26, and is driven by an endlesschain 32 engaging a drive sprocket 34 mounted on the output shaft of aspeed changer 36 which is driven by a series wound electric motor 38.The frames 12, 14 further have studs 4% (see FIGS. 2 and 5) securedthereto for pivotally supporting arms 42. The free ends of arms 42co-operate to rotatably support the ends of a shaft 44 to which afriction roller as is secured. The side frames 12, 14 further haveelongated slots 48 for slidably supporting the ends of a shaft 56 havinga pair of cams 52 secured thereto in axial register with arms 42. Thecams 52 are adapted, when shaft 5b is turned by a knob 54 (see FIG. 4)at one end thereof to engage arms 42 and lock friction roller 46 intoperipheral engagement with transport roller 28; the rollers 46, 28cooperating to transport the processed photographic material 24 out ofprocessor 143. If desired, the operator can turn knob 54 and cams 5210release arms 42, and then raise shaft along slots id permitting frictionroller 46 to drop by gravity against a stop 56 as seen dotted in FIG. 2.The operator may then wind the processed photographic material 24 ontotransport roller 28 which functions as a take-up roller.

The processing device 10 has a processing chamber 58, as seen best inFIGS. 2 and 3, comprising (1) a portion of the periphery of drum 18forming one side of chamber 53 (2) an arcuate metal shoe 60 encirclingdrum 18 in spaced relation thereto and forming the opaposite side ofchamber 53, and rigidly secured to semicircular plates 62, an bybrackets 66, the plates 62, 64

in turn being secured to respective side frames 12, 14

and (3) arcuate, resilient segments 68 (see FIG. 3) of a resilientmaterial such as rubber bonded onto similarly shaped metal plates 70having one edge thereof secured to each side of drum 18 and the oppositeedge bearing against shoe 6b to seal off the sides of chamber 58. A pairof resilient flaps 72, each having one end secured to one of the ends ofshoe 6t) and the opposite end bearing against the periphery of drum 18,as best seen in FIG. 2, provides a seal for the entrance and exit ofchamber 58.

To facilitate threading the photographic material 24 through processingchamber 53, drum shaft 16 has a knob 74 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) secured toone end thereof by which drum 18 may be rotated, and a disk 76 securedto knob '74 having a peripheral notch '78 co-operating with a pivotalpawl 80, for releasably holding drum 18 in a stationary position forprocessing. The pawl 80 is of a well known type having a spring 82 forurging a lug 84 into engagement with the periphery of disk 76. The drum18 further has an axially extending latch mechanism (see FIGS. 1 and 2)secured to its periphery comprising a latch plate 86 having pins 88extending through openings in the drum periphery, and springs 90encircling pins 88 and interposed between the inner periphery of drum 18and washers 92 on pins 88 for urging latch plate 86 into engagement withthe periphery of drum 18. The latch plate 86 is tangential with respectto the periphery of drum 18, and when drum 13 is moved to its stationaryposition, latch plate 85 engages fixed brackets 94 secured to each frame12, 14 which cam latch plate 86 into an open position as seen in FIG. 2.To thread the material 24- through processing chamber 58, the operatorinitially pulls the material over guide rollers 22 and inserts theleading end thereof under latch plate 86. The pawl 30 is then retracted,and drum 18 is manually rotated in a clockwise direction by knob 74 (seeFIG. 2) causing plate 86 to be released by brackets 94 which thenlatches the free end of the material 24 to the periphery of drum 18. Itis obvious, then, that upon continued rotation of drum 13 in theclockwise direction, drum 18 will pull the material through processingchamber 58. After drum 18 has been rotated through one completerevolution, pawl 81 once again releasably locks drum 18 in a stationaryposition, and the operator can either wind the free end of material 24-onto transport roller 28, or feed it into the nip between transport andfriction rollers 28, 46 respectively for transport therebetween asindicated earlier.

An insulating pad 96 (see FIG. 2) is placed over the outside of shoe6!), and a similar pad 98 placed along the inner periphery of drum 18 tominimize heat loss from processing chamber 58.

The shoe ea is heated by any suitable means such as a heating resistancecoil 11kt) (see FIGS. 2 and 9) disposed along the outer surface of shoe60. A thermoswitch 102 associated with coil ltlil controls thetemperature of shoe 6t), and the temperature may be varied by anadjustable temperature controller 104.

The periphery of drum 18 is heated by a similar heating resistance coil1% disposed along the inner periphery of drum 18. A thermoswitch 108associated with coil 106 controls the temperature of the drum periphery,and

the electrical leads from the coil 1% and thermoswitch 108 are securedto male switch members 119 secured to a rib 112 on the side of drum 18(see FIGS. 8 and 9). The female switch members 114 are mounted on aplate 116 secured to frame 12 as seen in FIG. 1, and have leadsconnected to an adjustable temperature controller 118 similar tocontroller 104 for varying the temperature of drum 18. The controllers104, 118 are connected to some suitable power supply. Since thethermoswitches, heat-resistance coils and adjustable temperaturecontrollers are well known, commercially available components, noattempts will be made to describe them in detail in this case.

With respect to the principle of operation of this processing device, asthe photographic material 24 is drawn over the stationary, hot drum 18,it becomes heated and moisture is driven out. Some of the moisture comesout on the underside of the material 24 and acts as a sort offrictionless cushion between the material and drum 18, and any excessamount of moisture formed in this area is drained off by the pluralityof angularly spaced, axially extending slots 120 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) inthe periphery of drum 18. This moisture, however, is retained in chamber58. As a result of the heated drum .18 and shoe 60, the moisture isvaporized and a hot humid atmosphere is developed in processing chamber58. As the cooler material 24 enters chamber 58, some of the heatedvapor, the dew point temperature of which is above the temperature ofthe material 24, condenses on the surface of material 24 and penetratesthe developer, causing it to become active. As the material moves along,continued contact with the hot drum 18 and radiant heat from the outershoe 6d accelerates development. As the material 24 travels over drum18, it loses a great deal of the moisture condensed on it at thebeginning of the cycle. This moisture is then again available tocondense on more material 24 as it enters the processing chamber 58. Thehigher vapor pressure at the hot end of chamber 53 forces the heatedvapor back toward the cold end where the vapor condenses on the enteringmaterial 24.

The temperatures involved in the processing of a photographic materialare critical in View of the fact that the cyclic process of vaporgeneration and condensation must be continuous within the confines ofthe sealed processing chamber 58. The temperatures involved will varydepending, among other things, on the type of photographic material 24being processed and the processing speed. in any event, for bestprocessing results it appears that a temperature dilierential must bemaintained between drum 18 and shoe 69 such that the radiated heat fromshoe 6% must not heat the emulsion of photographic material 24 fasterthan the conducted heat from drum 18. This gives the drum time to drivesome of the moisture through the material 24. It has been noted that ifthis condition is not met, proper development of the image will not takeplace.

With respect to the design of processing chamber 58, it may conform toany shape that will facilitate heating the photographic material 24,conserving the vapor ex pelled from the material, and subsequentlyreusing this expelled moisture. Although the processing chamber 58 inthe preferred embodiment is shown as circular, it may be non-circularand still function properly. It has been noted that the depth of chamber53 between drum 13 and shoe 60 for best processing results should rangebetween one-fourth inch and about three-fourths inch. It appears that ifthe chamber depth is less than one-fourth inch, the vapor generatedwithin the cavity becomes overheated and is also greatly inhibited inits migration to the cool end of chamber 58 and slows down theprocessing speed. If the depth is greater than three-fourths inch, anexcessive amount of photographic material 24 is necessary to supplychamber 53 with enough vapor to start the process, or auxiliary meansmust be provided for introducing additional moisture into chamber 58. Inaddition, the temperature requirements of the outer shoe 6% and drum 1%would have to increase as the depth increases.

In order to prevent the photographic material 24 from heating too fastas it enters processing chamber 58, and hence interfering with propercondensation of the heated vapor thereon, the portion of the peripheryof drum 18 in register with the leading portion of processing chamber 58is insulated by securing an insulating pad 122 thereto by any suitablemeans (see FIG. 2). It is also possible to accomplish this objective bynot heating the portion of shoe 60 in register with the leading end ofprocessing chamber 58, or by securing an insulating pad to the insidesurface of that portion of shoe 6t It has been discovered that itnormally takes a considerable length of photographic material 24 passingthrough processing chamber 58 to supply the chamber with sufiicientheated vapor to start the processing cycle. It is possible to eliminatethis waste of paper, and to prepare the processing device 11% forimmediate processing by introducing heated vapor or steam directly intoprocessing chamber 58. This may be accomplished by any suitable type ofsteam generator 124 as shown in FIG. 7, essentially comprising a housing126 having a heating element 128, a thermoswitch 1 30 to control thetemperature of heating element i128, and a steam generating chamber 132into which Water from a reservoir 134 may be introduced by any suitablemeans such as a valve 136. The steam generated in chamber 132 develops avapor pressure forcing the vapor through a conduit 1 38 directly intoprocessing chamber '58. This vapor may be introduced into the chamber 58through a conduit (see FIG. 2) mounted at any point along chamber 58.

An alternative means may be provided to quickly generate the highlyhumid and heated atmosphere within chamber 5 8 by applying water to oneof the surfaces of the incoming photographic material 24 prior to itsentry into processing chamber 58. A device of this type is shown best inFIGS. 2, 3, and 6, and comprises side frames 1142 for supporting -aroller 144 and a water applicator 146, both rotatably supported byframes 142. The water applicator \146 comprises a pair of plates 145,147 secured together by suitable bolts 149, and further has a stub shaft148 at one end to which a handle 1-50 is secured for moving theapplicator (see FIG. 3) between an inoperative position and an operativeposition in engagement with one of the surfaces of photographic material24 which is threaded between roller 1144 and applicator 146. Theapplicator 146 has a fitting 152 at its other end having an annularshoulder 154 at its opposite end adapted to ride on a cam 156 showndotted in FIG. 3 for axially moving applicator 146 against the bias of aspring 158 encircling shaft 148 upon movement of handle 150 to itsinoperative position. The end of fitting 152 further has a nozzle 160 atone end thereof co-operating with a check valve, not shown, at theoutlet of a water tank 162. When the water applicator 146 is moved 'byhandle 150 int-o its inoperative position, nozzle 160 is Withdrawn fromthe valve by virtue of cam 1'56 and ring 154, and when the handle 150and applicator 146 are moved into the operative position, nozzle 160 ismoved into engagement with the valve opening it to let the water passfrom tank 162 through nozzle 160, fitting '152, and suitable passageways164, 166, 168 and opening 170 inapplicator 146 to one of the surfaces ofthe photographic material '24.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be elfected within the spirit and scopeof the invention as described hereinabove and .as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In a processing device for an exposed, moisture laden web ofphotographic material of an initial temperature and incorporating adeveloping agent and ingredients for development, the combinationcomprising:

(A) an enclosed, elongated processing chamber having a restrictedentrance and a restricted exit at opposite ends,

('B) means for transporting said web through said chamber,

(C) means for producing and maintaining a heated vapor of the moisturecontained by said web within said chamber, said vapor having a dew pointtemperature above said initial temperature of said material, said meansfurther including:

(a) first and second surfaces extending lengthwise of said chamber .onopposite sides of said web as it is transported through said chamber,

(D) means for heating one of said surfaces to a temperature sufiicientto drive the moisture from said web,

(E) means for heatin the other of said surfaces to a temperaturesufiicient to vaporize said moisture driven from said web, and

(F) means associated with one of the first and second surfaces at saidchamber entrance to prevent said initial temperature of said materialfrom rising above said dew-point temperature.

2. In a processing device for a moisture laden web of photographicmaterial of an initial temperature and incorporating :a developing agentand ingredients for development, the combination comprising:

(A) an enclosed, elongated processing chamber having a restrictedentrance and a restricted exit at opposite ends,

(B) means for producing and maintaining a heated vapor in said chamberfrom the moisture in said web, said vapor having a dew point temperaturei 6 above said initial temperature of said material, said means furtherincluding first and second heated surt'aces extending along the lengthof said chamber in spaced relation,

(C) means associated with one of said first and second heated surfacesat said chamber entrance to prevent said initial temperature of saidmaterial from rising above said dew-point temperature, and

(D) means for transporting said web of photographic material throughsaid chamber in substantial engagement with one of said heated surfaceswhereby said heated vapor in said chamber condenses on said web as itenters said chamber to initiate the processing of said web, saidcondensed vapor on said web and said moisture in said web :beingtransformed into heated vapor by the heat from said heated surfaces assaid .web is transported through said chamber.

3. In a processing device for an exposed, moisture laden web ofphotographic material of an initial temperature incorporating adeveloping agent and ingredients for development, the combinationcomprising:

(A) a heated member,

(B) a heated shoe substantially parallel ber and spaced therefrom,

(C) first sealing means interconnecting thesides of said member to thesides of said shoe to form an open ended, substantially rectangularprocessing chamber,

(D) second sealing means at each end of said chamber for sealing theends of said chamber,

(E) means for producing and maintaining a heated vapor in said chamberfrom the moisture in said web, said vapor having a dew-point temperatureabove said initial temperature of said material,

(F) means associated with said processing chamber for preventing saidinitial temperature of said material from rising above said dew-pointtemperature,

(G) means for transporting said web through said chamber substantiallyin engagement .with said member whereby said heated vapor in saidchamber condenses on said web as it enters said chamber to process saidweb, said condensed vapor on said web and said moisture in said webbeing transformed into heated vapor as said Web is transported fartherin said chamber.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein a temperature differentialis provided between said member and said shoe so that the heat radiatedfrom said shoe will not heat the emulsion of the photographic materialfaster than the conducted heat from said member which then drivesmoisture through said web.

5. 'Ilhe invention according to claim 3 wherein said member comprises arotatable drum, said device further including means for releasablyholding said drum in a normal stationary position.

6. The invention according to claim 5, and further including threadingmeans for threading said web through said chamber upon rotation of saidmember from said stationary position through a single revolution.

7. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said preventing meanscomprises means at the entry end of said processing chamber to preventthe portion of said web entering said chamber fro-m heating up above thedew-point temperature of said vapor and thereby interfering withcondensation of vapor thereon.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said means at the entryend of said processing chamber cornprises an insulator secured to one ofsaid member and said shoe at the entry end of said processing chamber.

9. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said member has aplurality of axially extending, angularly spaced peripheral grooves.

10. The invention according to claim 3 and further including means forcharging said processing chamber to said mem- Q with heated vapor sowhat said processing device is avail- References Cited by the Examinerable 01 i'mrnediafe PIOCESSiilg. I 11. The invention accordlng to claim10 wherein sa1d S ing water to a surface of said web prior to its entryinto 5 said processing chamber. FOREIGN PATENTS 12. The inventionaccording to claim 10 wherein said 233,287 5/25 (heat Britain chargingmeans comprises a source of heated vapor, and k means for conductingsaid heated vapor to said process- NORTON ANSHER P r 1mm) Examiner ingchamber. 10 D. B. LOWE, Examiner.

1. IN A PROCESSING DEVICE FOR AN EXPOSED, MOISTURE LADEN WEB OF PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL OF AN INITIAL TEMPERATURE AND INCORPORATING A DEVELOPING AGENT AND INGREDIENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: (A) AN ENCLOSED, ELONGATED PROCESSING CHAMBER HAVING A RESTRICTED ENTRANCE AND A RESTRICTED EXIT AT OPPOSITE ENDS, (B) MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING SAID WEB THROUGH SAID CHAMBER, (C) MEANS FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING A HEATED VAPOR OF THE MOISTURE CONTAINED BY SAID WEB WITHIN SAID CHAMBER, SAID VAPOR HAVING A DEW POINT TEMPERATURE ABOVE SAID INITIAL TEMPERATURE OF SAID MATERIAL, SAID MEANS FURTHER INCLUDING: (A) FIRST AND SECOND SURFACES EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF SAID CHAMBER ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID WEB AS IT IS TRANSPORTED THROUGH SAID CHAMBER, (D) MEANS FOR HEATING ONE OF SAID SURFACES TO A TEMPERATURE SUFFICIENT TO DRIVE THE MOISTURE FROM SAID WEB, (E) MEANS FOR HEATING THE OTHER OF SAID SURFACES TO A TEMPERATURE SUFFICIENT TO VAPORIZE SAID MOISTURE DRIVEN FROM SAID WEB, AND (F) MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH ONE OF THE FIRST AND SECOND SURFACES AT SAID CHAMBER ENTRANCE TO PREVENT SAID INITIAL TEMPERATURE OF SAID MATERIAL FROM RISING ABOVE SAID DEW-POINT TEMPERATURE. 